KUCHING: Did you know that donating blood is safe even after you are diagnosed with Covid-19?
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said according to the head of Sarawak General Hospital’s (SGH) Transfusion and Blood Bank Services Department, Dr Mohammad Masrin Md Zahrin, those with Category 1 (no symptoms) and Category 2 (mild symptoms) Covid-19 were eligible to donate blood 14 days after testing positive.
“For those with Category 3 (lung infection), Category 4 (lung infection and requires oxygen), and Category 5 (lung infection and requires ventilator), they can donate blood six months after being infected,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Feb 27).
He added that those who had just received their Covid-19 vaccination were advised to wait at least seven days before donating blood.
“These are the latest blood donation policies shared by Dr Mohammad Masrin with me.”
Meanwhile, the public are encouraged to donate to ensure sufficient supply to help those in need of blood.
“SGH requires 500 units of blood per week. And thanks to all the volunteers, the non-governmental organisation staff of the blood bank for making Sarawak the number one blood donor state in Malaysia.”
He added that he was informed that on many occasions, Sarawak even supplied blood to Likas in Sabah.
